Capito says diplomacy is still the Syrian solution

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in talks Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the specifics of how the Syrian regime’s stockpile of chemical weapons will be identified, verified and destroyed.

MetroNews file photo

Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said any chemical weapon claims from Russia and Syria should be verified.

But Second District Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said the U.S. must proceed carefully with those diplomatic efforts.

“I think a diplomatic solution absolutely is the answer here,” she said. “(But) It’s difficult for me to trust what, I think, has been an untrustful adversary in a lot of ways.”

U.S. State Department officials said the talks would likely last for several days and the U.S. is looking for a “credible and authentic way forward” that is “verifiable and that can happen expeditiously.”

On Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline,” Capito said she had a lot of questions for leaders of both Russia and Syria. “Would they actually, really, secure these chemical weapons? Remember, (Syrian President Bashar) Assad said he had no chemical weapons and then, four days later, says he does.”

She said she is still opposed to a U.S. military strike on Syria. President Barack Obama has not ruled out such an attack if diplomatic efforts to secure Syria’s chemical weapons, used in an Aug. 21 attack on civilians, are not successful.

Capito said she does not think the threat of such U.S. actions prompted this week’s alternative proposal from Russia. “From where I sit, it more appears to be simply happenstance or, sort of, luck for the President that Russia stepped in and offered a diplomatic solution,” she said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote an editorial for The New York Times that criticized President Obama and said a U.S. military attack on Syria could “unleash a new wave of terrorism” in the Middle East.

Shauna Johnson

Shauna Johnson, a Fairmont native, is an award winning reporter who has been covering news in West Virginia for more than a decade.

8

Comments

Bim

I thought her dad was one of the greatest governors of WV. I did not care that he was a scoundrel and cheat. He still was a great one. Nothing wrong if you needed a new bridge or a new road, a quick 10k in small bills would get it for you. I haven't followed her so I do not know if she is the same type of apple. But her stance is with Obama right now! First I recall of anything like that!

September 14, 2013 at 7:15 am |

D.P.

Jt - Shelley "has been all over the map on this." But Barry and his crack team of flunkies have been right on target, huh? Pal, you obviously are clueless. I feel somewhat compelled to enlighten you on BHO's atrocious handling of the Syrian debacle. But sadly, it would sail 6 feet over your head and I would be doing nothing but wasting my time!

Shelley will win by AT LEAST 10 points in the General Election! And that is assuming ANY Dem is stupid enough to run against her!!!

September 13, 2013 at 12:29 am |

Robert

Straight from the "sheep's" lips to our ears...

September 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm |

Magic Mike

We do not know who used them Assad or the rebels. She still better then Obama on this.

September 12, 2013 at 7:03 pm |

RogerD

Being better than Obama isn't much of an endorsement.

September 12, 2013 at 8:47 pm |

Gunga Din

She changes her mind more than a woman. Oh, wait a minute....

September 12, 2013 at 2:57 pm |

Jt

CapiNO is all over the map on this one, RNC better hurry and cover her butt before she screws up and says something she will regret.

September 12, 2013 at 1:29 pm |

DonaldH

She's all over the map?--- A quick look at the "related articles" ledger to the left says she has remained pretty consistent-- at least more consistent than Team Obama and Manchin.....